On-Campus Program
The on-campus academic training provides an opportunity for the student to acquire knowledge in the selected field of study, to develop professional relationships with department faculty and to prepare for the field assignment with the Peace Corps. Each student will enroll in specified departmental coursework for two full academic semesters. (Please refer to the specific major requirements; see links below.) Satisfactory completion of course work, as specified and agreed upon by the student’s advisory committee, is required prior to Peace Corps service.
Major-Specific Requirements:PCMI: Master of Agricultural Education Major
PCMI: MS in Applied Economics & Statistics Major
PCMI: Master of Forestry Resources Major
Field Requirements
Upon completion of the on-campus program, a student begins a Peace Corps assignment. The assignment includes three months of training (language, culture, etc.) and 24 months of service with an organization aligned with the selected field of study. During the field experience, the student and faculty advisor will communicate about experiences related to their degree and new knowledge acquired. These field experiences will be the basis of the student’s research paper.
Project Paper
Following the field experience, the candidate will prepare and submit a research paper under the supervision of the advisory committee. The paper will draw upon what the student has learned at Clemson and during the Peace Corps assignment. The paper may analyze and evaluate the development/completion of a particular program; the development of a plan of action for dealing with a selected problem; the development of materials or methodology for field programs; or the development and completion of research appropriate to a selected problem of development. Six credit hours are awarded for satisfactory completion of the paper.
Completing the Program
Students participating in the PCMI Program are encouraged to enroll for one additional semester at Clemson following their Peace Corps experience. The additional semester provides an opportunity for students to share their field experience with other students and faculty through class discussions and special seminars, and to obtain feedback and suggestions to better understand and integrate elements of the field experience. A student may enroll in additional academic courses to complete or complement prior academic and field experience.
The student's advisory committee will determine when all degree requirements have been met. In some cases, an additional semester maybe required if the committee finds that a student is unable to meet all of the degree requirements prior to and as part of their Peace Corps service.
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